Why Bears Break into Minivans

Bears at our national parks have discerning noses (and eyes!)

A certain demographic's aversion to minivans—immensely practical, efficient and popular with others—is that the vehicles' aura is a bit too family oriented. It's one reason why SUVs sell well.

Now, however, wildlife researchers have offered another dimension to these popular people-haulers: Bears like minivans.

A study published in the Journal of Mammalogy cited that bears break into minivans more often than into any other class of vehicle. This is because the animals have learned that there's good noshing to be had. Bears are largely omnivores, opportunistic enough to eat whatever's abundant; also intelligent enough to teach this foraging behavior to their cubs.

Researchers examined reports of vehicle damage at Yosemite National Park from 2001 to 2007. The study suggested that minivan passengers, often the kids, are prone to spill food and drinks, thus leaving a detectable—and delectable—aroma. Steam cleaning a minivan interior is recommended before venturing into national parks and other areas that bears are known to inhabit. Also, of course, it's unwise to leave food aboard.

Yet, it's also been found that bears recognize the shape of minivans and seek them out. This is no trivial matter, as a black bear preparing for winter is known to bulk up on something like 20,000 calories a day—and a minivan is a great potential source.

Appreciating an old R&T friend
To my eye, one of the most voluptuous examples of "form following function" is the Jaguar D-Type. This sports racing car dominated endurance events back in the mid-1950s and it's one of the most prized classics today. Expect the example pictured here to be a star at Gooding & Company's Scottsdale, Arizona, auction, January 21–23, 2010. What's more, this particular D-Type even has a couple of direct R&T ties.

Back in May 1956, this was the exact car we, er...they tested. In fact, that Road Test's full details make interesting reading today.

The D-Type's 3.4-liter dohc inline-6 produced all of 250 bhp at 6000 rpm; torque was 242 lb.-ft. at 4000. Like most race cars of the era, the D-Type had a 4-speed gearbox; speeds in gears were 67, 87, 112 and 162 mph. That is, it was fairly tall-geared for venues such as Le Mans and the like.

The car's test weight was estimated at 2460 lb. and, back then, would have included two testers aboard. The D-Type's 0–60 posting of 4.7 seconds broke a record for the time (a couple years earlier, Phil Hill's 2.9-liter Ferrari had run a 5.1).

Relatively modest modern cars (the , and and , to name a few) exceed the D-Type in performance. And, in terms of equivalent dollars, they cost less. But, I would argue, none is as beautiful.

Its most recent owner, Ted Gildred, agrees completely. And, in fact, Ted is responsible for the more recent appearance of this very car in R&T. During his custodianship, he and the D-Type went on several Colorado Grand rallies, including one where Ted kindly invited Peter Egan to ride along (see R&T, March 2007).

(Re)reading about another R&T friend
While on a heritage binge, I commend to you a book I've just read: The `9' Horse Wonder, by George F. Yallop. Those with truly prodigious memories will recall a July 1963 R&T article of similar name, "The Nine Horse Wander," by George and his wife at the time, Eileen. Some 45 years in gestation, this fascinating book is the complete story, only part of which was recounted in that R&T piece.

Amazingly, in 1960, all three in their late 20s, George and his wife took "Calisay," their already vintage 1933 Riley 9, on a 10,000-mile adventure circling the world. The Yallops traveled from England across Europe, the Middle East, India, Sri Lanka (Ceylon in those days), Australia, the U.S. and Canada. Along the way, they worked here and there to support themselves. Calisay was repaired, disconcertingly often, with spares brought along or things found en route.

To cite just one road hazard, bullock carts were the principal traffic in Baluchistan (a remote area along the Iran/Pakistan border). Yoked bullock pairs had a nasty habit of clashing each other's horns, thus leaving shards "which seemed to head for the nearest tyre...."

Sharing a tent with a deadly krait snake. Feted in Australia by the "Melbourne Mob" of car enthusiasts. Arriving in America, only to find Calisay wouldn't clear customs until the following day—"For the first time on the trip we felt homeless."

A humble hats off from those of us who occasionally take our old cars on highly orchestrated, heavily supported tours. The Yallops' adventure is great reading, whether in vintage R&T or in this neat book, which is available for about $48, including shipping and handling. To learn more, you're encouraged to check out .

Hydrogen-exhaling bugs in your fuel tank?
Researchers at Virginia Tech, Oak Ridge National Lab and the University of Georgia have concocted a novel mix of enzymes, wood scraps and water that yields hydrogen pure enough to power a fuel cell. The process occurs at ordinary atmospheric pressure and modest temperature, around 86 degrees Fahrenheit, with a significantly high hydrogen generation rate.

It uses polysaccharides, complex carbohydrates of the form C6H10O5 found in plant cellulose. Its catalyst is a blend of enzymes and coenzymes never found together in nature. Add these to the mixture of polysaccharides and water, and the result is high-quality hydrogen and CO2.

Details are given in "Spontaneous High-Yield Production of Hydrogen from Cellulosic Materials and Water Catalyzed by Enzyme Cocktails," published in the Wiley journal ChemSusChem, Chemistry and Sustainability, Vol. 2, Issue 2.

Two nations, separated by common measures
I had some Tidbits fun in March when I cited the European Union allowing British pubs to keep their sacred pints, rather than being forced to measure libations by the half-liter.

In comparing the two, I mistakenly assumed the U.K. pint (which is actually 0.568 liter) equals the U.S. pint (which is only 0.473 liter). Several readers, bless 'em, knew better. And one reminded me that the U.K. pint is fully 20 oz. whereas ours is only 16 oz.

In looking into this matter, I stumbled on the fact that our ounces are different as well. The Brit oz. is 0.0284 liter; ours is larger, at 0.0296 liter, but still not enough to make up for that 20/16 difference.

I'll have a pint, please—the U.K. one—and have one yourself, landlord.

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